Question

When percentage saturation of haemoglobin with O$^2$ is plotted against pO$^2$, the curve obtained is

• A. J shaped
• B. Hyperbola
• C. Sigmoid
• D. Parabola

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Sigmoid

Answer 2

The relationship between partial pressure of oxygen and percentage saturation of the haemoglobin with oxygen is graphically illustrated by a curve called oxygen haemoglobin dissociation curve. Under normal conditions the oxygen haemoglobin dissociation curve is sigmoid or s-shaped. The lower part of curve indicates dissociation of oxygen from haemoglobin while the upper part indicates the acceptance of oxygen by haemoglobin.